To demand a harder hitting campaign to promote breastfeeding?

[WashwithCare]

I?m sometimes taken aback to hear mothers gave up bf-ing because it was sore, or involved feeding for hours at a time? What did they expect? What did they think newborns do? Didn?t they imagine that anything chewing on your nipple for 10 hours a day was going to nip a bit?

But then again, who can blame them? Breastfeeding for the minimum WHO recommendation of 2 years is practically unheard of. Nearly everyone will tell you it?s absolutely your decision, and fine to stop. The public info campaign is fluffy and vague about the benefits, and the baby on the follow-on formula milk box looks decidedly peachy. Lots of women are so mis-informed, they believe that formula is almost as good as breastmilk.

Is it time for something a little harder hitting? How about this for a tv ad; (scene 1) mum feeding her newborn a bottle telling her mate how hard bf-ing was. Caption: Breastfeeding Hurts. (scene 2) same mum, but now older, bald and sick, hugs toddler. Caption: So does breast cancer. FADE to caption: "Breastfeeding significantly Reduces your Life Time Risk of Breast Cancer". Followed by cheesy inspirational slogan.

actually breastfeeding really shouldn't hurt.
it is usually a sign of poor latch/positioning etc

millions of women the world over breastfeed without pain, as do many in these countries

the reason you've seen so few who haven't had any pain is partly because you're a peer supporter and I would imagine the majority of people who have come to a breastfeeding cafe or group have come because they're having problems (ie pain!!)

it is not normal for breastfeeding to hurt.
some mums do experience discomfort of letdown, or strong sucking. but it really shouldn't hurt.

and i don't think that we need to promote breastfeeding as much. we know breast is best.
most people who have given up breastfeeding have done so because they lacked the correct support and information when they needed it- that's what we ought to be plowing money in

giving midwives, gps, paediatricians and health visitors proper breastfeeding training to enable them to help mothers properly

FB - I would rather not say, as I wasn't trained to say things like this. These are my own ideas. I just wanted to make the point that I have spoken to lots of women who bf- and most of them find it painful.

OK, latch is an issue - but if you have "virgin" nipples iyswim, just the process of toughening them up to getting used to constant suckling is going to be pretty sore for your avg bunny!

I hate it when you go to antenatal classes, and the HV - who probably never bf herself - announces that bf-ing won't hurt if your latch is right. Why not just tell mums - it will hurt - maybe a lot - but perservere, it will get better?

support is important but I had lots of support and it still didn't solve the fact my baby had a poor latch and wanted to feed constantly and dropped to the 9th centile until he was on solids and became a big chunky monkey. I didn't cave in but I did feel a bit when it turned out he wasn't just small - he really just wasn't getting enough milk!

It has just occured to me that my two friends who have had breast cancer, with double mastectomies as a result, had the cancer before they started their families, and are now unable to have children themselves due to their treatment.

OP is not just stirring troll, but actually really really nasty and offensive, with the potential for huge upset.

Piss off troll.

the points might be valid if she hadn't been trolling over mn all weekend.

ok it's sad for any woman to get cancer, but there is medical evidence that BFing can be preventative measure so it shouldn't be dismissed as offensive to point that out.

*I think a more affective add would be

Scene: Cheryl Cole chatting to Posh Spice/A Pussycat Doll/Sugarbabe/Saturday etc.

Both are discreetly bf ing whilst fully made up and dressed in lovely frocks and high heels.*

That's brilliant - I really like that idea.

I have no idea who the people you mention are, but I get the gist.

How did you become a peer supporter OP ? How many women have you worked with ? What format does your support take ? In what setting ? Where did you do your training ?

Funnily enough, with DC3 I have hardly ever fed him sitting down. Sling, baby, toddler, pre-schooler, onward and upwards!

DC1, yes, I spent vast amounts of time sitting feeding her, ably assisted by the remote control and whole packets of hobnobs healthy fruit snacks.

I'm just not sure that scaring women is the most effective way of supporting them in their choice to BF.

you say she wannaBe

That is such an outdated myth that you need to toughen up your nipples, WWC! I'm starting to wonder if you really are a Peer Supporter at all?

You shouldn't tell mums to perservere with the pain for the reasons I've already stated. If a baby is latched on poorly, he won't get enough milk, and he won't stimulate enough milk, and mum risks getting blocked ducts and mastitis.

Would shouting it at you make you understand it better?

Why tell them it WILL hurt a lot when for an awful lot of women it just doesn't hurt. Perhaps say it might, and EDUCATE them into getting help when it does hurt (if you can find any that is of any use.....)

Doesn't non-stop breastfeeding and sore nips get in the way of husband stealing?

let's kill the thread.

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let's kill the thread.